The oral histories from which these clips are taken were recorded as part of Humanist Heritage: Doers, Dreamers, Place Makers, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. They reflect the 45-year history of LGBT Humanists, including decades of campaigns, community, and creativity.
For more on this history, see our online exhibition: Into the Archives, Out of the Closet.
If you would like to access the full recordings, please get in touch by emailing heritage@humanists.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
George discussed her childhood, struggling with gender roles as a Jehovah’s Witness in a rural Welsh mining community. She shared her experience coming out as gay and leaving her work preaching as a Jehovah’s Witness. She recalled joining the LGBT-inclusive Faith to Faithless organisation and developing a humanist community in Sheffield. She also reflected on organising a humanist presence at Pride marches, and emphasised the importance of increasing diversity in humanist groups.
Tony discussed becoming involved with LGBT Humanists via the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. He recalled group holidays and being a celebrant for LGBT Humanists weddings. He spoke about the international outlook of LGBT Humanists. He shared his experience of being a gay teacher in the 1970s, forming the Wales and West Gay Teachers Group. He also mentioned his current work as a poet.
David discussed his experience of religion and sexuality in school during the 1970s. He shared his memory of being gaybashed in a Coventry pub, joining the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and encountering LGBT Humanists. He spoke about dinners and boat trips with LGBT Humanists founders George Broadhead and Roy Saich. He recounted memories of group holidays, anniversary lunches, Pride marches, and Queer Remembrance Day, as well as supporting Russian LGBT activists. He discussed the fractious relationship with the Pink Triangle Trust. He also shared his experience of humanist funerals and his thoughts on marriage and godparents.
Andrew discussed his experience of religion at school and humanism at university. He reflected on the impact of Section 28. He shared his experience of joining LGBT Humanists in the 2000s and making intergenerational friendships through the group. He recalled the split with the Pink Triangle Trust and the merger with Humanists UK. He also described many memorable LGBT Humanists campaigns, including lobbying for equal marriage, banning conversion therapy, and establishing the International Day Against Homophobia.
Adam and Richard discussed how they encountered humanism, and how LGBT Humanists and Humanists UK helped them find community as social and political organisations. They spoke about their work with LGBT Humanists to campaign for LGBT rights in Russia, as well as for equal marriage and for banning conversion therapy in the UK. They described their experiences of Pride and organising the annual Trans*figurations events at Conway Hall. They also reflected on the merger of LGBT Humanists with Humanists UK in 2012.
Chris discussed his work coordinating LGBT Humanists during the COVID-19 pandemic. He described the emotional impact of the in-person Trans Day of Remembrance Ceremony in 2022. He noted the age diversity of LGBT Humanists. He reflected on his efforts as a teacher to create an inclusive classroom culture. He also shared his experience of encountering humanism, which helped him confront religious homophobia and accept his sexuality.
Bill discussed his Christian upbringing and how he hid his sexuality until he left his religion. He reflected on supporting young LGBT people through Switchboard and protesting against Section 28. He recalled the Gay News trial, marching with the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and encountering LGBT Humanists when he moved to London in 1979. He described how LGBT Humanists changed over the decades. He shared his experience volunteering for the Terrence Higgins Trust, as well as becoming a Humanist Chaplain in prisons. He also spoke about the challenges of supporting LGBT people in prison.
Rolf discussed organising the first humanist confirmation ceremony in Stavanger in 1973, which precipitated his founding of the Stavagner local humanist group which held training courses about confirmation ceremonies. He shared his memories of founding a Norwegian humanist youth group and joining the LGBT humanist Pink Committee in Norway. He recalled that humanist naming and wedding ceremonies were established later than confirmations in Norway. He mentioned meeting LGBT Humanists Chairs Jim Herrick and George Broadhead in the 1980s and coming to London for humanist funerals in the 1990s. He also described speaking at the wedding of LGBT Humanists member Bill Schiller, subsequently travelling with him internationally to deliver seminars on humanist marriages and funerals for LGBT people.
Spyros discussed his upbringing in Greece and leaving religion, making critical engagement with Christian icons central to his artistic practice. He reflected on the gay communities he found in London, from nightclubs to political groups. He described finding comfort in LGBT Humanists events and finding hope through their campaigns. He shared feeling pressure to hide his sexuality and religious beliefs at work, but felt proud to be gay and humanist.
Peter discussed his decades of experience campaigning with LGBT Humanists. He reflected on a direct action campaign against the homophobic edict of Cardinal Benedict (later Pope Bendict XVI) in 1992. He recalled his interruption of Easter Sunday at Canterbury Cathedral to protest Archbishop Carey’s endorsement of homophobia in 1998. He spoke about the Queer Remembrance Day ceremonies organised with LGBT Humanists in the late 1990s. He also mentioned controversy surrounding the outing of bishops in the 1990s. He described the 2000 Years of Christian Homophobia protest outside St Paul’s Cathedral. He recalled being dismissed as Islamophobic when picketing City Hall with LGBT Humanists to protest the Mayor of London inviting homophobic Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi in 2005. He recounted being chased through the streets of Moscow while supporting a Pride march there in 2006 alongside LGBT Humanists members. He highlighted the success of the Equal Love Campaign in the early 2010s. He also raised the importance of inclusive sex education and ongoing campaigns for trans rights and the banning of conversion therapy.
Alexander discussed his creative practice of poetry, music and theatre, including organising community arts events. He read three of his poems – Labels, What is Humanism, and The Happy Humanist. He shared his memories of coming out and moving from Catholicism to humanism, finding community. He also discussed his experience as a Humanists UK Trustee.
Please note that the oral histories below contain discussion of conversion therapy, and may be difficult to listen to.
Adèle discussed her experience of religious music and bullying at school, followed by experiencing aversion therapy at university. She shared how she came to terms with her gender identity and her journey from theatrical performances to being a professional cabaret singer. Reflecting on transitioning in the early 1970s, she recounts her experiences of Dr Randell and the Gay Liberation Front. She also spoke about her experience with Humanists UK, including her work as a celebrant for gay weddings and Trans Day of Remembrance.
Nick discussed his work as LGBT Humanists Coordinator, organising events and appearances in Pride marches, including designing a banner. He highlighted the importance of trans rights and the legal recognition of humanist marriages. He also shared his experience of conversion therapy during his time as a Baptist minister, as well as discussing his involvement in the ongoing campaign to ban conversion therapy.
Jeremy discussed his experience of being sent to get aversion therapy by the headmaster at his Catholic school. He described the traumatic process of electroshock treatment, which has left him with PTSD. He recollected drinking heavily in a Catholic club and struggling with depression. He also shared his involvement with gay activism in the 1970s, as well as his recent experience writing a book about his experience of aversion therapy.
Ian discussed being fascinated by gay pop groups in the 1980s while being bullied at school and punished at home for his effeminacy. He reflected on internalising homophobia and joining Sunday school. He shared his work with True Freedom Trust, promoting their conversion therapy practice and participating in their group sessions. He recalled a range of conversion therapies he experienced in different churches, including a Christian talking therapy in Carmarthen and one where he was prayed over to cast gay demons out of him. He spoke about the traumatic effects of conversion therapy and emphasised the importance of campaigning to ban it, as well as supporting LGBT people leaving religion and men’s mental health.